Abdullah Hopes Court Sets Statehood Timeline
CM hopes Supreme Court sets firm deadline.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed optimism on Monday that the Supreme Court will set a definitive deadline for restoring statehood to the Union territory when it hears related pleas on October 10. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Abdullah emphasized his government’s relentless push for statehood restoration since taking office ten months ago.
The Supreme Court declined to expedite the hearing on statehood restoration, prompting Abdullah to note, “We’ve been waiting, but there’s been no progress.” He recalled that his administration’s first cabinet decision was to pass a resolution demanding statehood, which he personally presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their first meeting. “Unfortunately, the Centre has not acted, and we’re hopeful the Supreme Court will intervene,” he said.
Abdullah credited the Supreme Court’s earlier directive for ensuring assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Without the court’s deadline, I might not be standing here as chief minister today.” He urged the court to impose a similar timeline for statehood, warning that the lack of a deadline has delayed progress.
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Commenting on a protest led by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti demanding the transfer of prisoners from jails outside Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah acknowledged the concern but stressed that such decisions are made by the Union Home Ministry in Delhi. “Protesting in Srinagar won’t change anything. These decisions are taken by the Home Minister,” he said, noting that his government had already raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He dismissed the PDP’s protest as potentially performative, saying, “If it’s just for show, let them do it.”
Abdullah also highlighted his ongoing signature campaign, announced during his Independence Day speech, to rally public support for statehood restoration. “Once completed, we will present it to the Central government and the Supreme Court,” he affirmed, underscoring his commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and addressing the region’s pressing issues through both legal and public advocacy.
